Senior Send-Off: Kelsie Riemenschneider

Growing up, I planned to be a writer. I first fell in love with science through my high school chemistry classes, which ultimately drew me to study biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech. My undergraduate classes and research were amazing, but I missed prior jobs in which I had served others more directly. I was fortunate to obtain a clinical research internship at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where I worked closely with children with craniofacial conditions. Building strong relationships with my colleagues and the patients was very rewarding. After witnessing the improvement in our patients’ quality of life through healthcare interventions over a few summers, I absolutely had to become a physician!

How did you decide on your specialty?

I am thrilled to become a dermatologist and could not have chosen a better field! I enjoyed all of my rotations in medical school and was fortunate to have the extra time afforded by Curriculum 2.0 to explore my interests. My interest in dermatology was first sparked during my internal medicine clerkship when I cared for one of my favorite patients, a gentleman who presented with linear IgA bullous dermatosis. The detective work required to diagnose him, and the satisfaction of watching him improve with our treatment, reminded me of the reasons that I wanted to be a physician in the first place. Through dermatology, I can use my love of problem-solving and helping others to care for patients affected by conditions that significantly alter their quality of life. I love that I can work with patients of all ages, master a broad yet detailed knowledge base, and combine my love of hands-on procedural work and diagnosis.

What is your best piece of advice for an incoming first year medical student at Vandy?

Don’t compare yourself to others, and don’t worry about what others think of you.

What is your favorite memory from the past four years?

All of my fun experiences with my amazing friends from school! Our weekly Flying Saucer and trivia nights and getting together for grill-outs, board games, hiking, and more made medical school some of the best four years of my life. I can’t wait to leave for our upcoming Japan trip after we graduate, and I’m excited for all of the future adventures, both together and apart, that life has in store for us!

Are there any people you want to especially thank for their support and/or guidance during medical school?

Thank you to my amazing childhood, college, and medical school friends for your constant support over the years and a lot of happy memories! Thank you to the incredible teachers I have had throughout my life. Finally, thank you to my caring, funny, and sincere boyfriend, Tofi Montes, for his support and guidance during these four influential years!